BOWERS, Thomas


No.268138, Private, Thomas BOWERS
Aged 26


2nd/7th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment
Died of his Wounds on Monday, 18th November 1918


Thomas Bowers was born in Great Wratting (Risbridge Q3-1892 4A:689), baptised Great Wratting, St Mary's on 24th July 1892, son of Thomas and Prudence BOWERS (née MISON).

1901 census...Aged 8, he was at The Street, Great Wratting with his father Thomas BOWERS [42] a thrasher; his mother Prudence [41]; brothers Harry [23], Robert [21] both horsekeepers, William [20], Christopher [14] both milkman on farm, Albert [12]and George [1]; sisters Harriet [18], Isabel [16], Alice [11], Rose [6]and Mary [3].All were born in Great Wratting.

1911 census...Aged 18, a milkman on farm, he was in Great Wratting with his parents; brothers Albert (farm labourer) and Ernest (George?) and sister Mary. His mother had born 13 children but lost one.

The family were at 76 Jubilee Cottages, Great Wratting on the pension card



He registered in Coventry on 11th December 1915, giving his address as 37 Monks Road, Coventry, his age as 23 years 137 days, father Thomas BOWERS of Great Wratting. He was 5 feet 8.5 inches tall, weighed 142 lbs, chest 36" to 39".
Placed on Reserves, he was mobilised on 23rd June 1916, number 20129 Royal Warwickshire Regiment and sent too the BEF in France on 5th November 1916. He joined 10th Battalion on 7th and was transferred to 2nd/7th Battalion on 17th November. Renumbered as 268138 in March 1917.
Wounded, he was admitted to 54 CCS on 9th August 1918. Here the writing becomes "flowery" and very difficult to de-cypher. but it appears is was a mild gas attack as he returned to duty on 12th September. Apparently as a result of a gun shot wound to the face on 2nd November 1918, he was admitted to 16 General Hospital, Le Treport and died of broncho-pneumonia at 20:30 on 18th November. Subsequent Army correspondence has his father's address as 76 Jubilee Cottages, Great Wratting.
The war diary has that they were en route to St.ABUBERT on 2nd November when a chance shell hit and one officer and 8 other ranks were wounded. CWGC say 5 privates actually died


A military hospital near Le Treport





photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission



Thomas Bowers is buried in Mont Huon Military Cemetery, grave 9:A:10B

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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